Seven Steps to Selecting an Online College or University

Here is terrific news for adults who wish to advance their careers by earning an online degree. There are more distance and online education options than ever before.

Currently, almost 400 two-year and four-year colleges award online degrees. While that gives students lots of good choices, it sometimes slows adults from returning to college because they are confused about how to determine which online college will best meet their educational needs. To avoid that confusion and wind up making a good college choice, just follow the 7 steps below.

1. Start with a little online research. Put together a list of at least 5-6 fully accredited colleges and universities which award the degree you wish to earn.

2. Spend at least 10-15 minutes on the website of each college on your list. Make a list of positives and negatives for each college and eliminate any with more of the latter. It might shorten your list significantly.

3. Request an introductory brochure, an admissions application, and other informational materials from the colleges and universities in which you are most interested. Although you may call the colleges, filling out an online information request form will probably be faster.

4. After reading the literature from each college, prepare a list of unanswered questions and/or concerns and keep it by your telephone. When admissions representatives call you, as they surely will, go through your questions and take good notes. You’ll be glad to have them when it’s time to make your final college choice.

5. Be sure to ask about financial aid, job placement services, and the availability of academic assistance if you require it.

6. Apply for admission to the colleges with which you are most impressed. Be aware of deadlines.

7. Fill out the online FAFSA (Free Federal Financial Aid Form) and list on it the colleges to which you have applied. If you are not sure how to answer some of the FAFSA questions, do not guess, as making mistakes can make the financial aid process more difficult than it needs to be. Instead of risking a guess, ask one of your admissions representatives for assistance.

Most important of all, do not be intimidated by the process. Use the same consumer skills to choose an online university that you would employ in choosing any other product or service. If you do, you’ll be fine.

Daniel Z. Kane is a career educator who has been a high school counselor, a prep school and college admissions director, and a university dean. He currently publishes websites on online degrees and online colleges.